Kane County

Thomas: Westmont Library staff celebrate another exceptional summer

Published: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 5:01 p.m. CST

By LYNN THOMAS - Westmont Library

As summer draws to a close and families prepare to head back to school, the staff at Westmont Public Library likes to reflect on the summer reading program and all that was accomplished in a few short months.

After giving hundreds of prizes and coupons, reading dozens of stories and making lots of creative crafts, we are feeling grateful for the parents and caregivers who made the library a part of their summer.

Studies show that without continued practice over the summer months, kids are at risk for losing those hard-earned reading and comprehension skills they learn during the school year.

This is where the library likes to help out.

We work with local business and our Friends of the Library group to fund the motivational prizes and coupons that are distributed to kids who participate in the reading program.

In addition to our reading efforts, the library offered plenty of educational events to keep kids learning during their time away from the classroom. We explored the universe with an astrophysicist, dissected owl pellets in search of mammal skeletons, learned about the ancient artwork on the walls of the Caves of Lascaux and much more.

As another fun way to reward kids for their reading, the library offers an annual end-of-summer carnival. This year, it will be from 1 to 4 p.m. in the library parking lot Saturday. All ages are invited to come jump in a moon bounce, play a carnival game and chill out with a snow cone. The event is free and open to everyone, even if you have not participated in the summer reading program.

We want to thank all of the dedicated parents and caregivers who took the time to bring their children to the library to log their reading and to attend special events. And to our local businesses that donated, we appreciate your support more than you know. Every little bit you give helps bring us closer to our goal of serving as many Westmont residents as we can.

As you pack up your swimsuits and shorts in exchange for sweaters and jeans, we hope you remember your time at the library with fondness. We certainly have enjoyed our time spent with every child and parent who has walked through our doors.

Lynn Thomas is youth services coordinator for the Westmont Public Library